Jordan Kuhns - MSBN Broadcaster
It's that time of year again. For the second time in three years, and the third time in six years, the Millersville Marauders (36-14, 18-6 PSAC East) are the PSAC East champions. Gutsy pitching performances by Chris Murphy and Jim McDade on Saturday against East Stroudsburg propelled the Marauders to this point. It did not look like it would be so easy, because ESU swept the Marauders at Cooper Park on Friday.
PSAC playoffs have not always been a positive spot for the Ville historically. Back in 1998, Millersville defeated Slippery Rock 2-1 in the championship game to capture the PSAC championship. Ten times since then, PSAC East foes Shippensburg, Kutztown and West Chester have all captured the crown.
Millersville came close in 2011, losing to eventual champion Mercyhurst in extra innings in the semifinal round on a walk-off home run. To say it's Millersville's turn would be an understatement.
However, a new tournament begets new possibilities. Millersville head coach Jon Shehan has found a winning formula, and he intends to see it through here in this rapidly moving tournament in Johnstown, Pa. Shehan moved some parts around in the final few games of the season, which will be explained later, but the moves proved helpful to get everyone some game experience before the tournament starts.
THE OPPONENT: Slippery Rock 31-19, 13-11 PSAC West
Slippery Rock barely squeaked past IUP on the final day of the season to make the postseason. The Rock defeated now-second seeded Gannon to earn a crucial victory and clinch the fourth seed.
PSAC West teams did not have it easy. Slippery Rock split three series, lost all four to Mercyhurst, and won series against IUP and Clarion. That series win against IUP looms large in how they got to this point.
The Rock is balanced. They own talented pitchers like Lou Trivino, whose seven wins, eight complete games and 1.53 ERA can intimidate teams. They also have great hitters on The Rock, including Will Kengor (.455, 39 runs, 28 RBI, 12/15 steals) who can do it all. Four hitters (Austin Benshadle, Jake Nogalo, Brandon Myers and John Shaffer) have averages over the .300 mark.
While those numbers could be intimidating to most PSAC foes, not Millersville. The Marauders lead the league in batting average (.329), runs (361), hits (495), doubles (97), RBIs (326), walks (189), HBP (64) and OBP (.414). Most pitching statistics rank towards the top, especially with the top aces Tim Mayza (9-3) and Murphy (12-1) leading the way. Aside from two tough luck losses, Mayza has dominated Division II competition. Murphy, now the school's single season win record-holder, only lost one game to Philadelphia University early in the season. Tad Barton (7-3) aside from his last two starts, has been tremendous this season, only losing once a PSAC East foe. The aforementioned McDade (3-4) pitched his best game of the season against ESU on Saturday.
If there is anything to be gained of seeing how the opposition fared against crossover opponents, The Rock went 6-4 against PSAC East foes while playing Bloomsburg, Mansfield, Shippensburg and West Chester. Only West Chester made the postseason dance out of those teams.
In turn, Millersville went 3-3 against the PSAC West, winning both against Clarion (who only won four games total this season) and losing three of four against IUP, who missed the playoffs by one game. IUP could have easily been Millersville's first round opponent if not for Slippery Rock's clutch win against Gannon on Saturday.
As much as this current cast of Marauders might have liked a rematch for the sour outcome in 2011, it won't happen this time.
Millersville's entire coaching staff has continued to do a remarkable job with this team, especially after last year's disappointing go-around in which playoffs were in question until the final game of the season. High-profile transfers Chris Murphy (Soph., TCU), Evan King (Sr., Cal Pa.) and Mark Stuckey (RJr., Marist) have performed extremely well this season for the Marauders, playing key roles.
Underclassmen have also impressed this season. Third baseman Tyler McDonald (RSoph.) has continued to be a legitimate threat at the bottom third of the lineup (.354, 15 doubles, 40 RBI) and defensive stalwart at the hot corner. Shortstop Tyler Orris (Fr.) has had to fill in some big shoes left behind by Mike August, but he has not disappointed. He ended the season batting .292, and having a fielding percentage of .942. He also walked the Marauders off twice this season.
What the top of the order has done could might as well go without saying. King, freshman Jeremy Musser, and redshirt juniors Zach Stone and Dan Johnson have been unbelievable run producers this season. King and Musser have combined to steal 38 bags in 42 opportunities. That top of the lineup speed has led to Stone and Johnson cleaning up well and driving in a combined 72 runs.
It will prove to be an exciting tournament, and it all begins Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Tune in to MSBN starting at 6 p.m. for the Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster pregame show.
Be sure to stay tuned to MillersvilleAthletics.com, as well as this blog for updates about the tournament. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter @MarauderNews and @playsbyKuhns for up-to-the-minute updates. To listen to Wednesday's game, go to millersvilleathletics.com/msbn and use iTunes.
Let's play some baseball!
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